The American Association for Dental Research today issued the following statement in response to Congress passing and President Trump signing into law the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) fiscal year 2019 appropriations bill:

The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) applauds Congress and the administration for ensuring that the fiscal year (FY) 2019 Labor-HHS spending bill was signed into law on time, thereby guaranteeing that public health and health research agencies have the funding they need to carry out their missions and fulfill their promise to the American people.

AADR is particularly appreciative of the package’s $2 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the more than $14 million increase to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). We have already seen the returns on our investments in dental, oral, and craniofacial research. The increases included in the FY 2019 spending package will pay dividends in increasing our understanding of the fundamental causes of oral diseases and conditions, transforming how oral health care is delivered, and accelerating the transfer of new knowledge into the hands of those who need it most.

As we reflect on FY 2019 and look ahead to FY 2020, AADR recognizes that the latest funding increases were made possible by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and asks lawmakers to once again work together to lift the spending caps to avoid sequestration and a $55 billion funding cliff next year. The past few years have demonstrated the importance of predictable and sustained increases to NIH and other research funding, and we hope that trend will continue moving forward.

Once again, AADR thanks Congress for its dedication to federally funded research and for passing this vital spending bill in a timely manner. We look forward to continue working on behalf of research funding and those who rely on it.